Anybody able to throw some light on a problem I've got with both key fobs for my 2006 vRS?

 

Symptoms have been as follows;

 

1) Main fob started to fail to unlock the car occasionally so I replaced the battery assuming it was dying - no change to the problem.

 

2) I switched to using the spare fob with no problems until a couple of days ago when the car wouldn't unlock. Unlocked it with the key in the lock but the bloody alarm (factory standard fit) goes off almost immediately. Cured that by removing the alarm sounder fuse!

 

3) The fob I've been using will still lock the car remotely(!?) and will unlock the boot once the car's been unlocked mechanically(!!) but not remotely if the car is still locked.

 

Is this a sign that both fobs are dead and that I'm going to have to shell out for new ones or can something be done to reset them and/or the central locking system?

 

Any and all help appreciated

Steve

 

Have you tried to re program the remotes? It usually tells you how to do this in the owners manual.

 

Dose the red light flash when you press the unlock button?

 

If you still think you need a new remote you should be able to get one on ebay for about 30 quid. Just swap over your blade and imobilizer chip. The easiest way is to swap the heads of the keys

Thanks for the ideas Sean.

 

Yes the red light does flash when I operate the remote - is this a good thing?

 

Any other info about reprogramming the keys would be great.

 

Thanks

Steve

1) Try a new keyfob battery, cross fingers... If that fails, obtain a new alarm rear end for both keyfobs. Then try to add them to the alarm.

 

2) With the alarm fuse pulled you won't be able to add the new fob. So that needs to go back in beforehand.

If you unlock with the key I think you have 15 seconds to get it in the ignition switch and then the alarm won't sound. I think I read that somewhere.

 

Nigel

If you unlock with the key I think you have 15 seconds to get it in the ignition switch and then the alarm won't sound. I think I read that somewhere.

 

Nigel

 

Suggest you try it.... Preferably in the lunchtime rather than first thing in the morning - LOL.

Thanks for all the suggestions but I've got the problem sorted!!

 

I stripped the key down into its parts, got a compressed air line out and gave it a blast in the area under the buttons, then had a good firk around with a long bristled soft paint brush just to see if there was any muck and dirt under there. Reassembled it all, and bingo - one fully working keyfob!

 

Dead chuffed!

 

Steve

 

Nice!!